The electrification of Mercedes-Benz in America is off to a good start. The U.S. is already the top market in the world for the flagship EQS sedan, and dealers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the more affordable EQE sedan this fall. Insiders are quietly confident that Mercedes-Benz can sell up to 45,000 electric vehicles stateside in 2023. And the perky 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB will be a key contributor to hitting that number.

Unlike the EQS and EQE sedans, the EQB is not built on a dedicated EV platform. Instead, it shares much of its structure with the conventional internal combustion GLB subcompact SUV. As we reported in our preview drive of the EQB350 4Matic late last year, the smooth, silent, punchy electric powertrain transforms the subcompact SUV. The EQB feels much more like a miniature Mercedes than the GLB.

We've covered the EQB350 4Matic in detail, though since our drive Mercedes-Benz USA has confirmed the 288-hp, 383-lb-ft SUV will start at $59,100. And although no official figures have been released, informed sources suggest the EQB350's 70.5-kWh battery (its usable capacity is 66.5 kWh) will deliver an EPA-rated range of about 220 miles.

The EQB300 4Matic is priced from $55,550, and at first glance it's the more compelling buy of the two. It's identical to the EQB350, right down to the last nut and bolt, as well as the 188-hp motor at the rear axle. The only difference is the power and torque output of the motor at the front axle, which has been dialed back to deliver a total system output of 225 hp and 288 lb-ft.

Less power means slightly less performance—Mercedes says the EQB300 is about 1.8 seconds slower to 60 mph than its more powerful sibling, stopping the clock at just under 8.0 seconds. But less power also means there's less demand on the battery, which should equate to more range.

Unofficial figures suggest the EQB300 4Matic will have an EPA range of 230 miles. Now, just as with an internal combustion engine, your mileage may vary, depending on how, when, and where you drive. But a 10-mile improvement in rated range isn't quite the headline number you might expect.

That's because Mercedes has chosen to optimize energy consumption in both EQBs by using the permanently excited synchronous electric motor driving the rear wheels as often as possible, as the front motor's asynchronous design means it generates only minimal drag losses in partial-load operation. And that means the EQB350's more powerful front motor isn't always sucking down extra electrons. For most of your driving time, the two models are—in energy consumption terms—identical.

Our key takeaway from the EQB350 drive—that the EV powertrain adds a level of refinement and performance that's missing from the gasoline-powered GLB—holds true for the EQB300. But keen drivers will notice a difference between the two EQBs on the road, especially if the road is one that twists and turns.

In simple terms the EQB300 doesn't claw its way out of the corners with the same urgency as the EQB350. As a result, it doesn't feel as surprisingly lively or quite as much fun to drive. There's not a lot in it, and in truth few EQB customers are likely to notice, especially on the school run or the daily commute. The transition between regenerative and mechanical braking didn't feel quite as seamless as in the EQB350, either. That said, the multilink rear axle felt just as well-planted and delivered plenty of traction out of corners.

Our European-spec EQB300s were all on optional 20-inch rims shod with 235/45 tires. That setup won't be available in the U.S., and we won't be missing anything. Our experience with the EQB350 suggests the standard 18-inch wheels and optional 19s will offer better low-speed ride. What's more, the 20s appeared to make the steering feel gluier and less linear, as if the system was working harder to twist a bigger contact patch.

Mercedes offers three driver-selectable lift-off regen levels, actuated via the paddles on the steering column. There's also a mode that allows the car to use navigation data, traffic information, and speed sign recognition to automatically adjust the regen level itself. As with its more powerful sibling, on anything but busy city streets the EQB300 feels best to drive with the least amount of regen, as it enables it to flow more freely down the road.

Visually, the EQB300 is identified by EQ-specific design tweaks such as the front and rear LED light bands. The tall, boxy bodywork delivers an interior that is surprisingly roomy. The second-row bench seat slides fore and aft 5.5 inches, and in the rearmost position, there's plenty of leg- and knee room for 6-footers. There's lots of headroom, too, even though the rear seat H-point is higher than that of the front to give rear passengers better all-around visibility. Load space ranges from 16.4 cubic feet with the third row in place, to 57.2 with the second and third rows folded flat.

Although Mercedes-Benz makes it clear that in the event of a rollover it considers the optional third row suitable only for those under 5 feet 5 inches tall, the $1,250 option will appeal to those using the EQB for the school run. Why does it cost $400 more than in the GLB? The third-row seats fold flat into the load space floor, so the electrical hardware stored there in the EQBs must be moved into a compartment underneath that's accessed via a flap in the rear bumper.

Standard equipment on the EQB300 includes the 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display for the MBUX multimedia system. Standard safety features include active lane keeping assist, blind-spot assist, and active brake assist.

Those who prioritize range and performance over everything else will almost certainly opt for Tesla's Model Y Long Range, which also offers seven-passenger capability. But the Model Y costs a whopping $11,640 more than the EQB300— $13,390 more if you're comparing seven-seat versions.

No, this Mercedes won't go as far or as fast as the Tesla. But it drives and feels like a real Mercedes and boasts a better-packaged and better-finished interior than the Tesla. Unless you're planning a lot of long, fast road trips in your compact luxury electric SUV, the quieter, more comfortable Mercedes-Benz EQB300 4Matic is a better value—and worth a second look.

Dual motor, AWD, 5-/7-pass, 4-door SUV

Permanent-magnet synchronous motor (rear) and asynchronous motor (front) 225 hp/288 lb-ft

L x W x H

EPA FUEL ECON, CITY/HWY/COMB